“That’s . . . the baby?” Hearing the heartbeat for the first time was surreal.
Dr. Jones beamed. “Yes. That is your baby.”
Carter was feeling something, but he doubted it was the same as Harlem. She had genuine wonder written all over her face. He, on the other hand, felt a little nauseous.
Dr. Jones continued to monitor the sound for a few more moments and took some notes. He finished up and began to wipe the goop off of her. “You’re right on schedule, Harlem. Everything sounds good. Do you have any questions for me?”
She whispered. “Nothing that immediately comes to mind.”
Rarely had Carter seen Harlem rendered speechless, but he could see it in her face. She was processing the miracle of motherhood.
“Okay. If neither of you has any questions, I’ll see you back here in a month.” Dr. Jones shook both their hands again and left the room.
Carter was filled with both amazement and confusion. “I was not expecting that.”
A small grin spread wide across her face. “Neither was I.” Her hidden thoughts of terminating the pregnancy vanished–she could never. Harlem sat up and threw her legs over the bed. “Carter?”
He helped her down. “Yeah?”
She looked up into his eyes. Her own twinkled. “I’m going to be a mother.”
He nodded in agreement. “It would seem so.”
Harlem wasn’t sure her feet were actually touching the ground as she walked into the bathroom. Carter watched her leave. Once she was out of earshot, he heard his own voice echoing the same sentiment with a lot less enthusiasm. “I guess that means I’m going to be a father.”
*****
Carter and Harlem walked side-by-side to her car. Nervously, he rubbed the back of his neck. They needed to at least try to bond given this situation. Now was a good a time as any. “It’s still early. You want to go grab some breakfast?”
If Harlem were honest, she was starving. She’d only eaten a banana before coming to her doctor’s appointment. She was still floating in the clouds and wondered if Carter felt the same way. He was obviously offering the olive branch. If they were going to be on this journey together, she might as well make the best of it. “Sure. I could eat something.”
Carter was relieved Harlem was up to playing nice. “There’s a place called Benny’s around the corner. They have great food. Follow me in your car, and I’ll meet you there.”
Harlem did as asked. Moments later, they were sitting in a booth waiting for their server and looking over the menu.
“How do you feel?” Carter asked.
She glanced up above the menu to look into his eyes. “I was just about to ask you that.”
“Not like I thought I would.”
Harlem’s head tilted slightly. “How did you think you would?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t know what to expect today. I was here . . .”
“Because you felt obligated?” Harlem finished his sentence.
“If I’m honest, yes.”
Of course, that was why he would show up, but it was still hard to hear but no longer surprising. Harlem wasn’t quite sure why. She guessed it was because they weren’t doing things in the natural order of things.
Carter continued. “But something changed. When I heard the baby’s heartbeat . . .” His words faded.
“It became real,” Harlem said softly.
It was something like that, but more so that Carter’s caveman instincts kicked in. He decided to keep that bit of information to himself.
“For me too,” Harlem said honestly.
“Really?” Carter was surprised. “I thought the pregnancy would have already felt real.”
“I haven’t had a chance to process being pregnant. Shortly after I found out the in-vitro was a success, Damian told us about his illness. After that, I poured everything into him.”
Carter had witnessed it firsthand. “He was lucky to have you.”
“He was lucky to have you too,” Harlem said earnestly.
“What? Was that another compliment from Harlem Thomas? If so, that makes two in the past week.”
“Maybe, but if you tell another living soul, I’ll deny it.” She laughed.
Their server came over to take their order. After she’d gone, Carter teased Harlem. “You ordered almost everything on the menu.”
“I sure did because you’re paying.”
Her laugh actually reached her eyes. Carter couldn’t help but notice how they sparkled. It made him feel a little less stressed the fuck out. “I don’t know if I have enough money on my credit card to pay for it all.” He chuckled, then turned serious. “It’s good to see you smile.”
“If I’m honest, it’s good to have something to smile about.” Harlem glanced down at her hands. “Thank you for coming today. I was so nervous. I know that I’ve been a little difficult and put up a few roadblocks,” she looked up, “Thanks for ignoring them.”
“That’s what friends are for, right?” The corners of his lips lifted into a light smile.
“Is that what we are?” She asked, genuinely curious.
Carter placed his hand on top of hers and held her gaze. “No. We haven’t been, but now that we have a common goal, I hope that we can be.”
Harlem was just about to agree when Elaina showed up at their table. “Well, isn’t this cozy?” Harlem slowly pulled her hands from underneath Carter’s and placed them in her lap.
His brow raised in surprise and then knitted together with irritation. “What are you doing here?”
Harlem could only imagine how they may have looked to a jealous girlfriend.
Elaina crossed her arms. “I love Benny’s
